Thursday, July 7, 2011

Time to Rest {Simple Moments, Bigger Picture}

I’m not the best at saying no or relaxing. So it’s in their genes to just go, go, go. Oh and we’ve been going and doing and doing and going.

I’m tired, and burnt out and overwhelmed. My house is a mess, my to do list overwhelming. If I’m feeling like this what are their little bodies feeling?

They don’t know how to stop. They bounce, they play, they run, and they run. They would run themselves into the ground if allowed to their own devices. Which is why they’re not left to their own devices, that’s what I’m for. To lead them them, to protect them, to teach them.

Sure it’s way more fun to be fun. To do summer to the fullest.

Late nights!

S’mores!

Playdates!

Outings!

Swimming!

But when little bodies start to breakdown and tire. When 4 year olds have dark circles under their eyes and aren’t acting like themselves. It’s time to stop being fun and time to start being the protector, the parent, that they need.

So today we will clear our schedule.

We will stay in PJ’s, we will bake cookies, we will nap.

It won’t be what they want to do, but it;’s what they need to do. It’s my job as a parent to show them that and guide them. So they learn that life is full and fun and exciting, but if you don’t take a break and rest every once in awhile it will just beat you down, and that is no fun.

Oh, yes, clearing the schedule some times is a very good thing! As are early bedtimes...which become difficult when the kids are just plain overtired. Having that rested child in the morning is all worth it!

Are you reading my mind?! It seems like more often than not when I pop over here, you're writing about something I *need* to hear about :) Thanks for this reminder. I frequently feel intense pressure to be more fun, more light-hearted. But you're right: There's a time and place for it, and sometimes they need us to slam on the brakes.

We're having an at-home day today here, too. My three-year-old keeps asking to play "Let's Go To Bed Now, Mommy" and I'm taking that as a sign that she's tired. And honestly? It's such an important lesson to learn: rest when you're tired. Easy to say, but not so easy to do.

Exactly! Sabbath on a Thursday. LOVE IT! :) Glad you had that time today. And tomorrow? You could do it again! Because it's summer and you can! But if you don't want to, we're having lunch at Cook Park and listening to the music by the slides. :)